Elevator-door check



June 15, 1937. H. c. WALDMAN ELEVATOR DOOR CHECK Filed Jan. 51, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

flier/nan CT n a/ameh. M

ATTORNEY.

June 15, 1937. H. c. WALDMAN ELEVATOR DOOR CHECK Filed Jan. :51, 1936 ATTORNEY.

Patented June 15, .1937

UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFIQE 16 Claims.

This invention relates generally to door-checks and has more particular reference to a check especially, though not exclusively, for power or electrically-operated vertical lift elevator-doors.

It is common practice to equip elevator-doors of the type stated with electrical means responsive to door-position for checking or retarding the momentum of the doors at the termini of their opening and closing movements to prevent m impact or slamming, which is not only disturbingly noisy, but also mechanically injurious to the door mechanism.

Such electrical door-retarding or check mechanisms, further, are costly in structure and in- 15 stallation and, while efficient for their intended purpose if carefully maintained, are, in practice, subjected to such severe service as to present a serious maintenance problem.

My invention has hence for its prime object the provision of a door-check of the dash-pot type, which is simple, strong, sturdy, and relatively inexpensive in structure, may be readily installed, and when installed is efiiciently protected from dirt and mechanical injury and is also conveniently accessible, and in use possesses the characteristics of reliability and durability with minimum maintenance and attention.

And with the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts presently describedand pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying.drawings,--

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View of an elevator door-check constructed in accordance with and embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view showing an installation of the door-check in association with a building-wall at a door-opening therein, taken approximately along the line 22, Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the installation taken approximately along the line 3-3, Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a top sectional plan view of the installation, taken approximately along the line 6--4, Figure 2, the wall being omitted;

Figure 5 is a similar view, taken, however, approximately along the line 5-5, Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the doorcheck taken approximately along the line 6-6,

Figure l.

Briefly, it may be said that the door-check includes a tubular casing or barrel closed at both ends for providing a pair of opposed single act- 5. ing cylinders in its respective ends for containing variable quantities of a working fluid, as oil or the like, the barrel being fitted with an axially reciprocatory frame comprising a pair of axially spaced pistons which work in the respective cylinders at the opposite ends of the barrel and are connected by a rigid strut, such construction providing in a highly facile mannor for long'time alignment both of the pistons and the cylinder-portions of the barrel in which they work. 10

An arm, rising from the strut through a suitable opening in the barrel-wall, is at its free end slidably engaged by a limit-bar having its move ment responsive to door-position and carrying limit-stops which engage the arm at the proper time for moving the pistons in the barrel in one direction or the other for displacing the oil therefrom against the resistance of the regulated release or escape of oil through an orifice from the end of the barrel toward which the pistons are you moving, the displaced oil at the same time being conducted to the other end of the barrel through a pipe-connection common to the oil reservoir and both ends of the barrel.

Forconvenience of installation and accessibility of the check, a chase or horizontal recess or niche is provided in the building-Wall, into which is fitted a housing having a removable cover or facia-plate, and in the housing is mounted the check and the shiftable limit bar, the door-re- 3U sponsive motion of which I prefer to accomplish by a chain-connection of the rod with the winches which lift and lower the door or its sections, if any, and this chain may, and preferably is, likewise the means for application of motivat- 3;, ing power to the door-winches, my invention embodying, in such respect, several unique and novel advantages, as will presently more particularly appear.

Referring now more in detail and by reference 40 characters to the drawings, which illustrate a practical embodiment of my invention, A designates the check generally, the main frame of which comprises an elongated tubular casing or barrel I having its opposite ends closed by suitably attached heads 2, 2', each of which is provided with a suitable lug or foot 3 for attachment of the check A to a supporting structure, as presently more fully appearing.

The barrel l is interiorly finished for slidably 50 receiving a reciprocatory frame A comprising a pair of pistons 4, 4', each suitably equipped with a packing ring or rings 5 for sealing the piston with the barrel I, the pistons 4, 4', working in the respective opposite ends of the barrel l with the variable space between the piston 4 and head 2 forming one check cylinder 6, and, in a similar manner, the space between the piston 4' and head 2' forming another check cylinder 6'.

The pistons 4, 4 are connected or joined in axially spaced relation by means of a rigid strut 7, and in practice I prefer to form the pistons 4, 4, and strut I of a unitary cast or otherwise integrally formed body and to thereby, in a positive manner, assure the perfect and undisturbed alignment of the pistons 4, 4', for prolonging their useful life.

In the upper portion of the wall of barrel is a longitudinal slot 8, and upstanding from the barrel and surrounding the slot 8, is a wall 9 providing a well ill, as it may be said, in communication through slot 8 with the chamber of barrel I, the well In forming a chamber for excess oil for closing the slot 8 to atmosphere.

Disposed movably for slidable movement on the upper margin of wall 9, is a dust-cap or closureplate having a suitably covered filling-opening l2; and having its lower end fitting in a socket it provided in the central portion of strut i and projecting upwardly through, and working in, the slot 8 and also extending through, and

suitably fixed to, the Well closure-plate II, is an arm M, the slot 8 being of such length that preferably, when one piston, as 4', is at the extreme end of its stroke adjacent the head 2, the other piston 4 is disposed adjacent the opposite end of slot 8, as best seen in Figure l.

The arm I l, at its upper free end, is provided with an opening or eye l formed preferably, as in the present instance and as best seen in Figure 6, by bifurcating the upwardly presented free end thereof, and suitably mounted for rotation in such fork or bifurcation, is a pair of vertically spaced horizontal rollers it, as shown.

Through the eye i5, is slidably disposed a 11mit-bar H, which, for such purpose, is longitudinally inserted between the rollers l6, and mounted adjustably on the bar I! adjacent its opposite ends, is a pair of set-collars or limit-stops IE, it, each preferably equipped with a rubber or leather cushion l9.

At its opposite ends, the rod or bar i! is provided with respective right and left-hand threads, which are turnably disposed with turn-buckle effect into a corresponding pair of threadedsocket eyes 20, 28 respectively, for a purpose presently appearing.

In each respective barrel-head 2, 2, is a preferably axially located efiluent-port 2|, which communicates the cylinder 6, or 6', as the case may be, with a radial passageway 22, at the junction of which with the port 2|, is disposed a needle-valve 23 threaded into the head 2, or 2', in axial alignment with the port 2| with whose walls the valve 23 co-operates to form an orifice device, as it may be said, for adjustably regulating the egress of oil flowing from the cylinder 6, or 6, during the operation of the check.

Also leading from the cylinder 6, or 6', in the head 2, or 2, is an influent-port 2 equipped with a ball-check 25, or other like non-return device, for permitting the free ingress of oil from the passageway 22 into the cylinder 6, or 6, while preventing the reverse flow of oil through the port E i, any effluent oil from the cylinder 6, or 6, being thus compelled to pass through the port 2| for regulated escape past the needlevalve 23.

Suitably supported intermediate the ends of, and depending from and communicating with, the barrel is a T-coupling 26, which is adequately communicated, by means of respective pipes 21, with the respective radial ways 22 in the heads 2, 2'.

It will be readily understood that, the piston i, for example, being adjacent the head 2', and on motion being imparted to the limit-rod I! from any suitable source, as shortly more particularly appearing, one of the stops, as I8, will engage the arm l4 and cause the frame A and its carried pistons 4, i, to be moved in the bar rel toward the head 2.

As the piston 4 moves to the left in the cylinder 6, reference being made to Figure 1, the oil therein is compressed and forced through the port 2| past the needle-valve 23 at a regulated time-quantity rate, so as to oppose the motion of the piston 4 with dash-pot effect, the effluent oil thence flowing through the passage 22, pipe 27, and coupling 26, into the barrel At the same time, the piston 4' moves away from the head 2', thus enlarging the available volume of the cylinder 6', which becomes filled with oil drawn from the barrel I through the corresponding pipe 21, passage 22, and, past the check-valve 25, port 24.

For facilitating the installation and inspection or repair of the check A and as an accessory part of my present invention, an elongated boxlike shallow housing or shell 28 is suitably mounted in a chase provided in the building-wall 29 over the lintel 32 of the elevator-way 3|, the shell 28 being conveniently open on one of its sides and being there provided with a removable cover or facia-plate 32 equipped with suitable hooks 33, whereby the cover or plate 32 may with ease and facility be removed by merely lifting the same out of the shell 28 to permit ready access thereinto.

The check A is mounted at a suitable point in, and preferably on the back-wall of, the shell 28, with the limit-rod l7 extending longitudinally in the upper approximately central portion of the shell 28, as best seen in Figures 2 and 3.

The housing or shell 28 extends substantially the width of the elevator-way 3| and its dooropening 34, which latter, in the customary manner, is protected, in the present instance, by a pair of superposed upper and lower vertically movable door-sections 35, 35, respectively, disposed for travel in suitably spaced door-guides 36, 36', attached in suitable manner to the face of the building-wall 29 adjacent the door-opening 34.

The door-sections 35, are normally disposed in opposing meeting relation for spanning across, and deflecting closure of, the opening 34, the upper section 35, however, being shiftable until it is wholly above the lintel 3%) of the opening 34, and the lower section 35 being shiftable until it is wholly below the sill of the opening 34, for disposing the door-sections 35, 35, in opened position or relation.

The door-sections 35, 35', are actuable from closed to open position, and vice-versa, by a dooroperating mechanism of which, in its preferred, and here diagrammatically illustrated, form, a more complete description may be found in United States Letters Patent No. 2,012,440, issued to me August 27, 1935, to which reference is hereby made.

Suffice it here merely to say that such mechanism includes, among other features, a pair of chains 31 looped over respective sheaves or winches 38, 38, and attached at one end to brackets 39, which project from the respective opposite sides of the lower margin of the upper door-section 35, the respective chain-loops 31 at their other end being engaged with the upper end of respective chain-rods 40 extending upwardly from corresponding brackets 4| projecting laterally from the upper margin of the lower doorsection 35'.

The sheave 38 is partially enclosed in a housing 42 attached to the guide 36 and is mounted on a shaft 43, which, in turn, is journaled in a hub or bearing 44 projecting from the housing 42 through a suitable aperture provided in the adjacent wall, and at the corresponding end, of the shell 28.

The sheave 39 is likewise partially enclosed in a housing 42 attached to the guide 36 and is mounted on a shaft 43', which is journaled in a hub or bearing 44' similarly projecting from the housing 42' through a suitable aperture provided in the adjacent wall, and at the other end, of the shell 28.

The shafts 43, 43, carry respective sprockets 45, 45, and, respectively, above and below the sprocket 45, is also a pair of idler-sprockets 46, 46', supported for rotation on suitable studs 41, 41, respectively, mounted on the wall of the housing 42 and projecting through suitable apertures provided in the adjacent wall of the shell 28.

The shaft 43 may, and preferably is, driven by a train of gearing, not shown, disposed'in the housing 28, which, in turn, is selectively actuated, in one direction or the other, by a suitable primemover, as a motor 48, and a driving chain 49 is trained over the sprocket 45, from whence one end of the chain leads upwardly over the sprocket 4G and is attached to the eye 20 on the adjacent end of the limit-bar 11, while the other end of the chain 49 leads downwardly over the sprocket 46, thence more or less horizontally to, and over, the sprocket 45', and is attached to the eye 20' on the other end of the bar H, as best seen in Figures 1 and 2.

Preferably, on the back-wall of the housing 28, is mounted a bracket 50, which carries a roller 5| suitably disposed for engaging the lower run of the chain 49 for supporting the same, so that it does not drag in the event of any occurring slack.

In use and operation, let it be assumed that the door-sections 35, 35, are in closed position, with the stop l8 engaging the arm 14 of'the check A, and the reciprocatory frame A with its carried pistons 4, 4', shifted to the end of its stroke toward the cylinder-head 2..

When the motor 48 is selectively actuated by any suitable means, notv shown, but preferably of the type fully described in my said Letters Patent, for moving the door-sections 35, 35, to open position, it will be readily understood that the shafts 43, 43, are caused to revolve in opposite directions for, in like manner, rotating the sheaves 38, 38, whereby the section 35 is raised while the section 35" is lowered, the upper strand of the chain 49 and its interpositioned limit-rod l1 meanwhile moving in a direction toward the cylinder-head 2'.

As the sections 35, 35, approach the termini of their respective movements, the stop I8 on the rod I! impinges the arm l4 of the frame A, and

the same, with its pistons 4, 4, is caused to also move toward the cylinder-head 2', whereupon a restraint is put upon the motion of the sections 35, 35', in the manner previously fully described, for absorbing the momentum of the doorsections 35, 35 and bringing them gradually to rest without shock or sudden jars.

It will be obvious that, when the door-sections 35, 35', are subsequently actuated to closed position, the reverse of the foregoing described action takes place. The chain 49 now travels-in the opposite direction,'the stop l8 moves away from, and the stop I8 correspondingly approaches, the arm I 4, until finally the stop I8, impinging the arm- I4, causes the frame A. and pistons 4, 4', to shift toward the head 2, and the sections 35, 35' are, again, and in similar manner, brought to rest quietly and without slamming.

It will be obvious that, when the door-sections door-sections 35, 35', the oil-check A acts directly on-the power drive-chain 49 and thus, in turn, opposes the power of the motor 48. The latter, however, it may here be said, is, in the manner set forth in my said patent, also deprived of its motive power at the proper time, so that the check A is thus free to effectively react against the door-momentum alone.

The check A is, in practice, effective for checking the momentum of the door-sections 35, 35, for merely a short period of the terminal move ment of the sections, as, for example, the last six inches of movement thereof, the rod I! having an inactive sliding movement, as it may be said, in the interim between the disengagement of the stop l8 from, and theengagement of the stop l8 with, the arm l4. Hence, by setting the stops l8, l8, in suitably spaced relation on the rod H, the proper operating conditions for various sizes of doors may with ease and surety be maintained, and, further, it will be noted that the and particles of dirt, which, as is well known, fall continuously from the brickwork of buildings. Furthermore, the oil-check A is fastened to the sturdy housing 28 and, therefore, is held securely in proper alignment, which is important for the proper operation of the check A and the uniform, distribution of oil therein, and, again, the check construction is such as to permit the rod II to be located closely adjacent the barrel l, which is the point of resistance of the check, and thus the check operates'without cramping ofthe check mechanism and a smoother action is accordingly obtained.

I might add that, notwithstanding the usually inaccessible position in which my door-check is, of necessity, placed, the general strong and sturdy construction of its parts, and the simplicity of the installation in its place of service, strongly assure the long continued satisfactory operation of the door-check, which, in practice, has been found exceedingly eflicient in the performance of its intended functions, and it is to be understood that changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the check may be made and substituted for those herein shown and-described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,'

1. In a door-check, in combination, a pair of opposed single-acting cylinders for containing a working fluid, rigidly joined opposed pistons movable in the respective cylinders, means for regulably conducting the working fluid from one cylinder to the other, and means including movable members shiftable responsive to door-movement for eiiecting reciprocation of the pistons.

2. In a door-check, in combination, a barrel providing a pair of opposed single-acting fluidcontaining cylinders, rigidly joined pistons movable in the respective cylinders, means including pipe-connected valves in the heads of the respective cylinders for regulably conducting the working fluid from one cylinder to the other, and means including movable members shiftable responsive to door-movement for eflecting reciprocation of the pistons.

3. In a door-check, in combination, a barrel providing a pair of opposed single-acting fluidcontaining cylinders, rigidly joined axially spaced opposed pistons movable in the respective cylinders, the space within the barrel intermediate the pistons forming a fluid-reservoir, means responsive to door-movement for effectingreciprocation of the pistons, and means for communicating the cylinders with each other and with the reservoir for flow of fluid therebetween.

4. In a door-check, in combination, a barrel providing a pair of opposed single-acting fluidcontaining cylinders, rigidly joined, axially spaced opposed pistons movable in the respective cylinders, the space Within the barrel intermediate the pistons forming a fluid reservoir, means including pipe-connected valves for communicating the one cylinder with the other and with said reservoir for regulably conducting the working fluid therebetween, and means responsive to door-movement for eifecting reciprocation of the pistons. 1

5. In a door-check, in combination, a fluidcontaining cylinder-providing barrel having heads at its opposite ends, rigidly joined opposed piston movable in the respective cylinders, and means for controlling movement of the fluid into and out of the respective ends of the barrel, said means including a pair of ports provided in each of said heads, one of said pair of ports having an orifice device for regulably releasing the fluid from the corresponding end of the barrel and the other of said ports having a nonreturn device for admitting fluid to said end of the barrel.

6. In a door-check, in combination, a fluidcontaining cylinder-providing barrel having heads at its opposite ends, rigidly joined opposed pistons movable in the respective cylinders, and means for controlling movement of the fluid into and out of the respective ends of the barrel, said means including a pair of ports provided in each of said heads, one of said pair of ports having an orifice device for regulably releasing the fluid from the corresponding end of the barrel and the other of said ports having a non-return device for admitting fluid to said end of the barrel,

and a tubular member-common to all of said ports for alternatively conducting the displaced fluid from one end of the barrel to the other.

7. In a door-check, in combination, a fluidcontaining cylinder-providing barrel having heads at its opposite ends, rigidly joined axially spaced opposed pistons movable in the respective cylinders, the space within the barrel intermediate the pistons forming a fluid reservoir, and means for controlling movement of the fluid into and out of the respective ends of the barrel, said means including a pair of ports provided in each of said heads, one of said pair of ports having an orifice device for regulably releasing the working fluid from the corresponding end of the barrel and the other of said ports having a non return device for admitting fluid to said end of the barrel, and a tubular-member common to all of said ports and to said reservoir for communicating the cylinders with each other and with the reservoir.

8. In a door-check, in combination, a fluidcontaining cylinder-providing barrel, a rigid frame reciprocable in the barrel including opposed pistons working in the cylinders for alternatively displacing the working fluid therefrom, a rigid member fixed to the frame and projecting exteriorly of the barrel intermediate the pistons, a limit-bar reciprocable parallel with the longitudinal axis of the barrel, means for reciprocating said bar responsively to door-position, and spaced stops on said bar for alternate engagement with said member on approach of the bar toward the respective termini of its reciprocations.

9. In a check for an elevator door, in combination, a housing for installation in a chase provided in the building-wall, means including a member reciprocable in the housing responsively to door-movement, and means located within the housing and actuable by said member at the respective termini of its strokes for absorbing the momentum of the door as the same approaches a terminus of its movement.

10. In a check for an elevator door, in combination, a housing for installation in a chase provided in the building-wall, a limit-rod reciprocable in the housing responsively to door-movement, a fluid-containing barrel mounted in the housing with its longitudinal axis parallel with the stroke of the rod, and means including a frame shiftable in the barrel for co-operation with the limit-rod at the respective termini of its strokes for absorbing the momentum of the door as the same approaches a terminus of its movement.

a 11. In a door-check, in combination, a housing, a member shiftable in the housing responsively to door-position, a pair of opposed single-acting fluid-containing cylinders mounted in the housing, rigidly joined opposed pistons working in the respective cylinders, and means for operably connecting the pistons with said shiftable member as the door approaches the respective termini of its movement.

12. In a door-check, in combination, a flexible element, spaced rotary members engaged by said element for movement thereof responsive to door-position, a housing enclosing said element and rotary members, spaced stops carried by said element, a frame alternatively engageable by said stops for shiftable movement of the frame in the housing responsively to door-position, a pair of opposed single-acting cylinders disposed in said housing, and pistons carried by the frame for cooperation with the respective cylinders.

13. In a door-check, in combination, a flexible element, spaced rotary members engaged by said element for movement thereof responsive to doorposition, a housing enclosing said element and rotary members, spaced stops carried by said element, a frame alternatively engageable by said stops for shiftable movement of the frame in the housing responsively to door-position, a pair of opposed single-acting cylinders disposed in said housing, pistons carried by the frame for co-operation with the respective cylinders, a working fluid disposed in said cylinders, a fluid-conductor connecting said cylinders, and means for regulating the flow of fluid alternatively from one cylinder to the other.

14. In a door-check, in combination, a fluidcontaining cylinder-providing barrel having heads at its opposite ends, rigidly joined opposed pistons movable in the respective cylinders, and means for controlling movement'of the fluid into and out of the respective ends of the barrel, said means including a pair of ports opening into each of the barrel ends, one of said ports having means disposed therein for controlling the flow of fluid from the corresponding end of the barrel and the other of said ports having a non-return device for admitting fluid to said end of the barrel.

15. In a door-check, in combination, a pair of opposed co-axial cylinders, a pair of rigidly connected co-axial pistons, each of said pistons being disposed operably within a cylinder, an intermediate reservoir chamber open at all times to atmospheric pressure, and conduit means mutually interengaging the respective head ends of the cylinders with each other and with the reservo1r.

16. In a door-check, in combination, a pair of opposed single-acting cylinders for containing a working fluid, rigidly joined opposed pistons movable in the respective cylinders, means for regulably conducting the working fluid from one cylinder to the other, a flexible member movable responsive to door movement, and spaced stops movable with said member for effecting reciprocation of the pistons.

HERMAN C. WALDMAN. 

